US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened on social media that the United States would target Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, an escalation that came less than a day after he suggested "winding down" the war.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, ‌WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS ‌from this exact point in time, the United States of ‌America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump ‌said on social media.

The threat came after Trump said on Friday that he is considering "winding down" the US military strikes against Iran, saying, "We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East" with respect to Iran.

Iran's Ambassador to Britain Ali Mousavi said on Thursday that Iran is ready to facilitate the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, provided that it is coordinated with Iranian authorities and conducted with full respect for Iran's sovereignty and security.

The US Treasury Department on Friday issued a general license temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea for 30 days to address the supply shortage amid shipping interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.